Notes

1] "The theme is derived from the Ramayana. Sita, deeply moved by the beauty of a golden deer roaming about the hermitage, pleads with her husband [Rama] to get it for her. Rama goes in pursuit of the deer in spite of the forebodings expressed by Lakshman who guesses that the golden deer is Maricha in disguise sent by Ravana. After a long pursuit of the deer Rama sends an arrow which fells Maricha. While dying he cries out in Rama's voice for help. Hearing the agonised cry, Sita mistakes it for Rama's voice. Toru Dutt's poem begins at this point. Sita urges Lakshman to rush to help Rama. However, Lakshman is unmoved as he has been instructed by Rama not to leave the hermitage and to give protection to Sita. Moreover, Lakshman knows that Rama is fortified against death and is invincible" (Nair, 109). Back to Line

41] Rakshases: Ravana, king of the black, ape-like called in the epic as Rakshases of Lanka. There his wife, Sita, was abducted by Ravana, king of the ape-like creatures called the Rakshases of Lanka in the epic Ramayana, kidnapped Sita. She was rescued by Hanuman, a monkey. Danavs: giants. Back to Line